NTSB Nears Key Decision on Baltimore Bridge Collapse Investigation

Tue Nov 18 2025 18:20:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The National Transportation Safety Board is set to finalize its report on the tragic Baltimore bridge collapse caused by a cargo ship's crash last year.

As the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) prepares for a critical vote regarding findings on the 2024 Baltimore bridge collapse, Maryland officials have significantly raised the budget and timeline for the bridge's reconstruction. The NTSB's report follows investigations suggesting technical failures on the cargo ship that led to the disaster, revealing a loose cable that induced a power failure. This incident resulted in the death of six construction workers and caused extensive disruptions to local maritime traffic.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board is on the brink of voting on the conclusions about the cause behind a disastrous container ship accident in 2024 which led to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers.

This crucial vote comes alongside Maryland officials announcing a staggering increase in the projected costs for replacing the bridge, from $1.9 billion to as much as $5.2 billion, and an extension of the completion date to 2030.

Governor Wes Moore stated that the spiraling costs reflect shifting economic conditions and heightened federal requirements for resilient bridge designs. Initial estimates had surfaced not long after the bridge fell on March 26, 2024.

Preliminary investigations indicated issues on the cargo ship Dali, which reportedly lost power due to a loose cable, causing it to veer off course and collide with the bridge. Safety officials have described the chain of events leading to the crash, highlighting previous power losses experienced by the ship.

The bridge had been vital to transport and commerce in Baltimore since it opened in 1977, and the consequences of its failure have been felt in shipping and local traffic. Recovery efforts and mitigating lessons from this tragedy remain ongoing as the NTSB emphasizes the need for all bridge owners to heed the vulnerabilities revealed through this incident.